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The Unholy Wife

Play trailer Poster for The Unholy Wife 1957 1h 34m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 46% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In Napa Valley, Calif., devious Phyllis Hochen (Diana Dors) schemes to run away with her lover, San Sanford (Tom Tryon), and with the money of her husband, winery owner Paul (Rod Steiger). Evading the suspicions of Paul's mother, Emma (Beulah Bondi), and brother, Stephen (Arthur Franz), Phyllis takes advantage of the tension between Paul and his partner, Gino (Joe De Santis) -- who wants to sell their grapes to an outsider -- to plan Gino's murder and frame Paul.

Critics Reviews

View All (2) Critics Reviews
Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Diana Dors, John Bull's Marilyn Monroe, is woefully out of her depth in the role of a sulky murderess in this implausible Hollywood melodrama. Nov 22, 2019 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A ponderous melodrama. Rated: C- Apr 14, 2002 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Allan C THE UNHOLY WIFE is a disappointingly slow and unoriginal film noir about a gold-digging wife, British actress Diana Dors in her American film debut, married to rich wine producer Rod Steiger. She takes a young lover, and if you have ever seen THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE or pretty much any other film noir, you probably know where the plot is going. I'd have expected a better film from director John Farrow (THE BIG CLOCK, HIS KIND OF WOMAN) and especially from a film starring the great Rod Steiger (ON THE WATERFRONT, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT), even if he’s playing the cuckold husband, but this film is certainly not at the level quality you’d expect given the level of talent in front of and behind the camera here. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 12/28/24 Full Review Aldo G Director John Farrow directs good performances from Brit beauty Diana Dors and Rod Steiger. The film meanders a bit, but does cast a spell. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/26/24 Full Review Audience Member This movie is interesting -- which puts it light years ahead of most films. It has some real problems, but the acting is believable. Advertised liked a B-movie, but with all the melodrama of a major Hollywood barnburner, Dors, Steiger, and Bondi play their roles with perfection. This one is worth viewing. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member My girlfriend and I just finished watching The Unholy Wife on TCM and absolutely loved it. The prophetic Bible verse and the twist near the end was pretty darn good. So much for the "perfect crime". Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Lurid and overbaked but man Diana Dors was beautiful. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Unholy Wife

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Movie Info

Synopsis In Napa Valley, Calif., devious Phyllis Hochen (Diana Dors) schemes to run away with her lover, San Sanford (Tom Tryon), and with the money of her husband, winery owner Paul (Rod Steiger). Evading the suspicions of Paul's mother, Emma (Beulah Bondi), and brother, Stephen (Arthur Franz), Phyllis takes advantage of the tension between Paul and his partner, Gino (Joe De Santis) -- who wants to sell their grapes to an outsider -- to plan Gino's murder and frame Paul.
Director
John Farrow
Production Co
Treasure
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 34m